Introduction

Yes, Serbia does happen to have quite a number of castles, but they are widely unknown and forgotten, even by Serbs. Serbian castles do not resemble typical castles, as those in Ireland or France, they are rather modest in size and not so sumptuous, but nevertheless have their own, subtle charm. So I suppose we should reffere to them more as mansions and palaces.

The problem is that many of them are abandoned over time and left to decay, and it is such a shame that we allowed these marvelous and unique pieces of architecture to wither away. Those ruins could be easily brought back to life, if only serbian public cared and was more aware of its heritage. We could show to people that not all architecture in Serbia is based solely on monasteries and churches, there are others things to cherish.

The King's Palace

History of serbian castles starts around the 19th century, when members of Obrenovic dynasty began building residences, but not as large and luxurious as those in central and western Europe. Milos Obrenovic built Konak in Topcider and Konak of Princess Ljubica, while latter Prince Aleksandar Karadjordjevic built The King's Palace and The White Palace.

The White Palace

Unlike the rest of Serbia, northern region Vojvodina was somewhat more specific because it was within the Habsburg monarchy, where long tradition of such construction was held. In Vojvodina also lived rich families like Dundjerski, Stratimirovic and others, who were responsible for building many of these castles. It is estimated that there are 67 castles only in this region of Serbia. Here I wrote only about few ones that stand out and could be representative for our country.

Fantast Castle (Dundjerski)

Of all castles in Vojvodina, Fantast Castle, white building with one big square tower and few smaller, cylindrical towers on the corners in neo-gothic style, is probably the most famous and impressive one. The castle is situated near the town of Bechej (14 km), in the central part of Vojvodina. It was built as a mixture of different forms atypical for our region, by the landowner Bogdan Dundjerski, member of the wealthiest family in Vojvodina by the end of the XIX and beginning of the XX century.

It is said that Bogdan Dundjerski built the lavish castle to prove to all that he was not bankrupt as had been rumored. He never married but it was known that he had a great fondness for fine women, horses and wine. The story of a bohemian, landowner Bogdan, today lives only in the story of curator Maja Dekanic, who daily takes tourists on a tour of the mansion. A guided tour around the castle costs only 1€ per person.

In 1983. the castle was converted into a hotel with a restaurant and named after the horse Fantast, the best horse Dundjerski ever raised. The hotel rooms are located in the main tower. Only the walls and doors remain authentic in the castle - from sumptuous furniture, paintings and jewelry nothing was left. After liberation in 1945, rugs, crystal chandeliers and silverware were all stolen.

The entire complex covers an area of about 65 hectares and, in addition to the castle, includes a horse farm, park with a lake as well as the chapel of St. George where Bogdan Dundjerski is buried. The chapel was built at the same time as the castle, in the neo-byzantine style. The iconostasis was painted by famous serbian realistic painter Uros Predic, a great friend of Bogdan Dundjerski. It is said that the painting of Virgin Mary has the face of Mara Dinjacki, the woman Dundjerski was in love with. Today in the chapel baptism ceremonies are organized as well as numerous weddings.

Horse farm that covers more than half of the entire complex, was famed for producing some of the best thoroughbreds in the former Yugoslavia, once numbering 1400. Today the farm has around 80 horses in six stables. It is possible for visitors to ride horses and for those who love these noble animals, the school of horse riding is organized. Carriage rides and winter sleigh rides in the beautiful surroundings of the snow-covered plains are also available.

Huge park with many walking trails surrounds the castle from all sides and is a mixture of English and French-styled parks. Park has few other facilities: equipped children's playground and two tennis courts and is also a home to an enclosed ostrich. There is also an empty concrete pool, which is unfortunately not in use, but has an interesting story. 

Today, although mainly a hotel, Fantast castle is a cultural monument of great importance and a story about friendship of Bogdan Dundjerski and Uros Predic.

Spitzer Castle

Spitzer Castle is located in the town of Beocin, on the slopes of Fruska Gora. The castle was built in the late 19th century (1898) by Ede Spitzer, one of the owners of Beocin cement factory, whose family was of German origin. Spitzer family lived in the castle until the beginning of World War II, when they moved to Germany, where their descendants still live. During the war, the castle served as the headquarters of the German command, and after the war it was a school, a library, a cultural center and a handball club. Already in an advanced stage of demolition, it even served as a restaurant one short time. 

After that, the Spitzer castle is completely abandoned and it remains to this day. Nowadays people of Beocin use to call it the "ghost house", since it is, as you can seen, in very poor condition. The interior and exterior are significantly damaged, but still contain an enormous variety of unusual, interesting and somewhat bizarre architectural details. 

Spitzer Castle is one of the rare examples of eclectic architecture in Vojvodina, which combines different architectural styles - Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and modern styles known as Jugendstil and Art Nouveau. The interior is a characteristic example of the Hungarian Art Nouveau, especially interesting is the fireplace made of green Zsolnay ceramics, located in the main hall of the castle. 

The castle is situated in the middle of the park that was created at a time when the castle was built, but it is now a messy mix of shrubs and trees. In the backyard there is a small pavilion, as well as imitation wells created for the purposes of popular serbian film "Black Cat, White Cat". Since the castle is ruined and abandoned, it is possible to freely enter in, walk through the garden, climb the floor or go out on the balcony.

Stained-glass windows of the castle Spicer were made of colored glass that has retained its vibrant colors. The stained glass windows have a floral theme and are quite damaged, but remained a fascinating sight. The castle has a large terrace and numerous external architectural ornaments in the form of human figures, dragons, etc.

In 1997. the building was declared a cultural monument, but if THIS is the way you treat a cultural monument than it is a real disgrace. There have been rumours that the castle recently acquired a German company, that is planning to renovate it and relocate its headquarters there, but this information is not verified, and so far it looks like nothing is happening. In any case, it is recommended to visit the castle until that happens, and while it is still possible to enter.

Kapetanovo Castle

Kapetanovo Castle is located in the area outside of any town on the road Zrenjanin - Vrsac near the village of Stari Lec in northeastern Serbia. This neo-gothic castle was built in 1904 by the Mayor Botka Bela, who wanted to create a residence that would resemble a medieval castle. In 1991, it was included on the national list of monuments of culture of great importance, and since then it has been protected.

The building is an example of extreme neo-Gothic architectural concept of harmonious proportions. On three sides are high gables, with stepped edges, which rise above the rooftops. On the fourth side of the square is the high tower with serrated endings, which mimics the medieval castles. All windows have severely broken Gothic arches. Its location outside of the village and the exemplary architecture, make this buliding an extremely interesting example of pseudo-medieval castle.

Interesting is the story of Kapetnovo's past. After losing almost all of his wealth on gambling, Bela decided to sell the castle, as the last possible solution to solve his financial situation. After he told his wife Ema about this, she was so devastated that on the night of 2nd of August, 1938, she climbed to the highest tower of the castle, poured gasoline on herself and burned to death. 

That same year, the castle was bought at auction by a wealthy merchant Franc May as a dowry for his daughter. After the wedding, the daughter and her husband Milan Kapetanov moved in, and the castle took his name, that has stayed to this day. During this time, Kapetanovo flourished. The couple created large fountains and gardens all around the castle compound, and the only part that was constantly locked was the tallest tower, where Emma Botka burned herself. Milan Kapetanov kept the castle in their possession up until the end of the Second World War, after which it was seized by the communist Yugoslavia's government. After it was seized, the castle was mostly abandoned and empty for nearly 40 years.

In 2006, vast work on the restoration of the castle commenced, and it was renovated into a restaurant with a hotel. The reconstruction was a faithful restoration of the original design. 

Some say the castle is even haunted. There is a legend that says that every second of August, on St. Elijah, at night in one of the castle's rooms appears a shadow of a woman with long blond hair looking at the Banat plain. Sometimes, when the reapers mow the grass around the castle, on their scythes and rakes instead of grass, they find a strand of blond hair.

Baba Pusta Castle

One more abandoned castle Baba Pusta, residence of nobleman Karoly Fernbah, is located 9 km from the village of Aleksa Santic, in Backa, near the border with Hungary. Of all the castles of Vojvodina this one is perhaps the most reminiscent of castles in Transylvania. It was built in 1907 and designed by the Hungarian architect Hikisch Reszo in secessionist style.

Family Fernbah had significant industrial facilities and large complexes of land in Backa, Banat and around Szeged in Hungary at the end of XIX and early XX century. Castle Baba Pusta, was just one of their many residences. Brothers Joseph, Janos Balint, Antal and Karoly owned numerous other castles in Vojvodina. Joseph had a castle near Apatin, Balint a summer house in Sonta and Antal had a castle in Temerin.

The castle is surrounded by a neglected park and a bunch of very dilapidated outbuildings. Park used to be arranged based on the principle of English gardens as an open space with an emphasized entrance facade with portico and a square bell tower at one side. The first Ginkgo in this part of Europe was planted here more than a hundred years ago as well as many other exotic and rare plant species from all continents.

Castle's original appearance

Half of the castle's roof is missing as well as other building materials. The interior is even more daunting than the exterior. Anything that could have been peeled, teared out, torn off, taken, used or sold is missing. Only bare walls are left, overwritten with graffiti. The interior, which once was enriched with various materials such as marble, wood, glass, chandeliers, a fireplace and representative pieces of furniture, was destroyed and those pieces stolen. Unusual and designed with special attention is a small family chapel, reached by a painted entrance hall. Despite being very destroyed and peeled, on the walls can still be seen images of certain saints and angels.

By the end of the seventies castle represented the headquarters of one agricultural company, but after the relocation of the management board, the building was left without any supervision. Back in the early fifties, the park was placed under state's protection (over 165 plant species were found) and declared a cultural property, but all in vain, since still no one is taking care of the place.

Today, Baba Pusta makes an ideal place for roaming, climbing and overall exploring of the surroundings. Despite being severely demolished, the castle still causes admiration of those who stumble upon it. But looking at a bigger picture, it is a rather sad sight. 

Kastel Castle

The Kastel Castle is situated about 60 km north from Belgrade and only 7 km away from Zrenjanin, in Ecka village. It was built in the English style, between 1816 and 1820. Squire Luka Lazar bought the then-deserted estate Ecka in 1781 and there built a church and founded the settlement for his workers. Kastel Castle was erected at the beginning of XIX century by Luka's son, Lazar Agoston and he is the one credited the most for its opening. Often mentioned fact is that the famous Hungarian violinist Franz Liszt, played at the official opening ceremony, on August 28, 1820 (when he was only 9 years old).

For many years, Kastel was a centre of hunters’ gatherings, with people from both Serbia and abroad. Austro-hungarian crown prince Franz Ferdinand and Serbian crown prince Aleksandar Karadjordjevic also used to visit and stay at the castle. World War II and war destruction did not spare Kastel and owners left it for good and went to the USA, so the castle ended up as state property. Luckily, since 1990s, the Kastel has been under protection of Institute for Cultural Monuments, so it did not have to suffer the same fate as some of the previous castles.

The building is a modest single storey building, located in a very large, cultivated park. Nearby is the old-fashioned water tower that looks like a fortress. 

After extensive renovations, the castle Kastel was mostly restored and converted into a hotel. It has 38 rooms and 7 suites, which are a mixture of modern and medieval style. In former ballroom that was turned into a restaurant, guests can enjoy flavours of both Serbian and international cuisine and sounds of wonderful music. The castle represents a successful example of revitalized cultural monument (it was declared a cultural monument in 2001). Since 2004, it has been in private property.

Bisingen Castle

One more abandoned castle is Castle in Vlajkovac, also known as Bisingen, located on the international road Belgrade-Timisoara, in the municipality of Vrsac. It was built in 1859 by Count György Moconje on his property. In 1888. countess Georgina Moconje brought the estate and castle as a dowry to famous Austro-hungarian noble family Bissingen-Nippenburgh. They kept the castle in possession until the beginning of the Second World War, when it was seized by the state according to the law on nationalization. 

The castle is a one-storey building with elongated rectangular base and symmetrical interior layout. According to the stylistic orientation, the building is classicist, beautifuly and richly decorated, particularly in wrought iron. Facades are characterized by symmetry and classical entrance. The facade facing the park has emphasized central part, connected by terraces. On its top used to be the Bissingen-Nipenburgh family crest.

Before, the entrance to the complex was a gate made of wrought iron, and in the yard were also located a family tomb and a chapel, an artificial lake with a fountain and sculpture in the middle of the stream and bridges. The castle today is classified as a cultural monument of great importance, although it is severely neglected.

Castle Bisingen's former appearance

The Bisingen Castle is more or less on the verge of collapsing, and of Italian investors, who were supposed to renovate and turn it into a hotel, there is no trace. Count Franz von Bissingen, the only successor of the castle in Vlajkovac, also shown concern over the rapid deterioration of the castle. The Count, who now lives in Germany, filed a request for the return of the property and was even willing to give consent to its renovation by Italians, regardless of the outcome of restitution. But sadly, no progress has been made to this day.